[r1p32]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I'm very intrigued by Plane-Talk. Ever since I first came to this site as a beginner (a little more than a year ago lol) I was intrigued by it but I was a bit hesistant on buying because it wasn't for beginners and I knew no theory.

But now I have learned some basic theory and I intrigue has come back . Especially now because I really want improv. to be a big part of my playing style, so my question is what theory do you need to know so you can get through plane-talk? And why isn't it for beginners?

Thanks!

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi r1p32.

I say it's not for beginners because beginners rarely want or need to use the whole fretboard. Most start out with the open chords and a few barre shapes and their playing is confined to the first five frets or so. Also, most beginners don't want to get into improvisation. However, if you are at the stage already where you feel like you do want to have the whole fretboard at your disposal and you do want to get into improv, then I highly recommend PlaneTalk. I spent the best part of fifteen years poking around, cross referencing, trying this and that to come up with the simple, reliable map that PlaneTalk teaches, so you can save yourself a whole lot of time by getting it. You can also spare yourself the trouble of practicing countless scales and modes ... you won't be needing them once you understand the PT mindset.

[eddiez152]

My opinion, It took this beginner (me) from playing chords on the first 6 frets to the next level. Playing and understanding whats happening on the fretboard. For me it was the roadmap and next step to what I was looking for. The magic of what happens with patterns one might not see without this learning tool.
eddiez

[TenThumbs]

Kirk, here's a question for you and I need an honest direct answer.

First of all let me tell you where I'm at - I can easily strum a nice 12-bar blues in either open chords (including 7ths and minors) or barre chords (actually I'd prefer to do it in barre chords) down to the 12th fret. There is a blues bar not far away that has a jam night where anyone can get up. The guitarist, who I know from another 'net forum, has said to me "...learn some easy 12 bar blues. The audience is receptive to everyone and we all have a great time".

I'd LOVE to be able to jam with those lads while playing something like your YouTube clip on your PlaneTalk page.

Here's the question. Is PlaneTalk for me? I don't need another flavor-of-the-month, dust-gathering "you'll see the light" geetar book.

What say you? I'll go badmouth you to your Aunt Hazel if you steer me wrong!

[Kirk Lorange]

Yes, tenthumbs, you sound like a good candidate. I take it you've tried the blues scale/pentatonics approach and find it lacking, and I take you've got some staying power where it comes to practicing a whole new way of thinking. Nowhere do I say that it's easy, I say 'simple'. You still have to work away at mastering a simple concept, something I still do it on a daily basis.

I'm biased, of course ... I wrote the book.

[r1p32]

Well would you need to know the notes on the fretboard? I can do it but it sorta does take me a moment. Other than that I do know basic chord construction, the major scale (never really played it on guitar, just discussed it in class, i use pentatonic lol), key signatures other basic stuff. Would that be enough to understand Planetalk or will it re-explain everything?

[Kirk Lorange]

Originally Posted by r1p32

Well would you need to know the notes on the fretboard? I can do it but it sorta does take me a moment. Other than that I do know basic chord construction, the major scale (never really played it on guitar, just discussed it in class, i use pentatonic lol), key signatures other basic stuff. Would that be enough to understand Planetalk or will it re-explain everything?

Yes, r1p32, if your goal is to be able to see the whole fretboard as familiar territory, to be able to easily create melody over all chord progressions, to be able to quickly harmonize lines, or be able to play all chords anywhere on the fretboard ... then PT will be a tremendous help. It will also make it much easier for you know all the fretboard notes. As I say on the home, and I know it sounds a little puffed up for me to do so, it teaches the simplest yet most powerful guitar lesson you'll ever learn once you fully digest its implications. It teaches the 'big picture' and once you know it, all details become infinitely easier to fill in ... again, I realize how silly this sounds, but I stand by it. It demystifies both music and the fretboard.

[737blues]

Originally Posted by Kirk Lorange

... again, I realize how silly this sounds, but I stand by it.

Relative to wanting a pet leopard sitting on your desk, watching you play. (Nice puss, Buster, please don't eat me) ... sounds positively reasonable. Ahem!

I found that it was always a challenge to remember any notes on the fretboard, until I started the Plane Talk mindset and one of the first things that happened was that I began to naturally find all those mystery notes all over the fretboard, and tie them together in my head. Personally, I don't think you need to be any sort of expert guitarist to benefit from PT, just so long as you are past the rank beginner stage.

[TenThumbs]

Originally Posted by 737blues

Personally, I don't think you need to be any sort of expert guitarist to benefit from PT, just so long as you are past the rank beginner stage.

Thanks for that 737B. That testimony is worth ten of Kirk's and I don't mean that in a bad way Kirk; your bias has to be accounted for.

[Rockerbob]

All I know about theory is that in theory, theory and practice (reality) are the same. In practice they are not.

[Chaotic Kittie]

Originally Posted by Rockerbob

All I know about theory is that in theory, theory and practice (reality) are the same. In practice they are not.

The weird thing is that in theory, if it's not the same in practice as in theory, the theory obviously must be wrong. But in practice that's not the way it is...

[eddiez152]

TenThumbs,
I know there has been a lot of material available for guitar, and I have living proof.
You can keep chocking the neck, or you can get a better understanding of what going on. I believe that with the help of Plane Talk you will be amazed at what doors it opens for you in guitar playing. I see your struggling decision. How much do I like it, well I have (4)copies. Even friends I know who are very good guitar players have said
"WOW" to this concept of learning. I wish I had seen this years ago.
eddiez

[hdrider]

i just bought plane talk . how do i track my purchace....terry

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi hdrider, thanks for the order.

I'm afraid there are no tracking numbers as I use the postal system, but I can tell you it will be sent today (Air Mail) and that it usually takes under ten days to the USA from here.

Thanks again!